Jesus before the Council, and Peter denies Jesus: Matthew 26:57-75
Imaginative Contemplation
Enter into the scene
After Jesus was arrested in Gethsemane, the guards took him to the High Priest’s house where he was interrogated. The house was like a palace, with rich furnishings and security doors. As I am employed there, I was able to eves-drop on the proceedings, and also I knew what was going on in the courtyard below. At a distance, I saw Peter enter the gates and sit down.
Caiaphas had gathered in the courtroom with the teachers of the Law and the Elders. Here was their opportunity to silence this trouble-maker, hopefully forever. They had lined up many witnesses against Jesus, but time and again, their evidence was rejected, as their lies did not ring true, and contradictions nullified their statements.
The atmosphere was becoming very tense. The only one who seemed to be calm was Jesus. How amazing!
Time was ticking by, and it seemed that the powers that be could not get enough evidence to have Jesus put to death. Then two men came forward with a story about the temple, how Jesus had foretold its destruction. Why hadn’t they thought of this before? They would charge him of religious offences, of blasphemy, and that, of course, carries the death sentence. The High Priest stood up and said to Jesus, ‘In the name of the living God, I now put you on oath: tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.’ Jesus answered, ‘So you say it. From this time on, you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right side of the Almighty.’ His words echoed around the room. Then all hell broke loose. Caiaphas tore his clothes, shouting ‘Blasphemy! We don’t need any more witnesses. We have all heard what he said. What do you think?’ They all shouted ‘He is guilty and must die!’
I could not believe what happened next. These men, charged with keeping order, went wild. They crowded around Jesus, pelting him with blows, spitting in his face and taunting him. Have you ever been spat at? It is horrible, utterly degrading. I was ashamed of these men of the Law.
Sick at heart, I went down to the court-yard where I found Peter in the centre of a small group of servants. They seemed to be arguing, and then to my horror, I heard Peter swear ‘I tell you I don’t know the man! He is no friend of mine. I swear to God I don’t know the man, and I never did know him!’ I stared at him, open-mouthed. Was this the confident Peter whom I had so admired? Was he aware that ‘the man he didn’t know had just been sentenced to death?
All this happened during the night, the right time for such shocking events. As dawn was breaking over the old City, a rooster proclaimed a new day. Peter, startled, stopped when he heard the bird because he remembered that Jesus had told him that the rooster would bear witness to his denial. The ever-confident Peter rushed out of the gate and up the hill, sobbing uncontrollably.
For further reflection
Discuss with Jesus the following points:
• In the garden, Jesus had committed to following his Father’s will. When do I find it hard to accept God’s will for me? What do I do at such times?
• These learned men were very powerful in their community. Do I use my power for the good of others, or for myself?
• Jesus was put under oath to tell the truth. Do I always tell the truth? What makes it hard to do so?
• In the midst of all the men of the law, there was no one who showed any compassion for Jesus. How can I show solidarity with the poor, the outcasts, those who are bullied?
• Do I turn to the Lord when I am treated with disrespect?
• Peter followed Jesus at a distance. Was this the reason why he allowed himself to be intimidated?
• Do I follow Jesus ‘at a distance’?
• What happened when Peter heard the rooster? What do I do when I am made aware of my short-comings?
Prayer
Jesus, in this scene of confusion and injustice, you remained calm, living out the words you had said in the garden, “Father, your will be done.” May your will be done in all places, among all peoples. Help me to see what you want me to do this day, and give me the grace to accomplish it for your greater glory. Amen.